Intercropping Pattern and N Fertilizer Schedule Affect the Performance of Additively Intercropped Maize and Forage Cowpea in the Mediterranean Region

Intercropping maize and forage cowpea is a widely proposed strategy to improve land use efficiency, and maximize the economic value of the farming system, especially in developing countries with restricted resources. The current study was carried out during the successive summers of 2020 and 2021 in Northern Egypt. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of three N schedules (NS1, NS2, NS3), when three different maize–cowpea intercropping patterns (IP1, IP2, IP3) were applied, on the grain yield of maize, forage yield and quality of forage cowpea. In addition, yield gain and land use efficiency were evaluated using the land equivalent ratio (LER) and dry matter equivalent ratio (DMER) indices. Results revealed that the intercropping patterns that provided wider spacings for the component crops and reduced the competition between them, mainly IP3, resulted in the best performances for the two crops. This was clear for maize ear and grain yields, 100-grain weight and harvest index, in addition to cowpea fresh and dry forage yields, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates of the three cuts. Regarding the applied N schedules, NS1 which included the application of a N starter dose with sowing proved to be the most efficient schedule that led to the best performance for both crops. Maize produced 9.07 t ha−1 grain yield under IP3 and NS1. In addition, the application of IP3 resulted in the highest significant cowpea dry forage yield (DFY), with the highest crude protein (CP) content. The DFY of cuts 1, 2, and 3 amounted to 1.27, 0.45, and 0.24 t ha−1, while the CP content for the three respective cuts reached 159.49, 157.96, and 148.91 g kg−1. Nonetheless, NS1 produced a reasonable amount of DFY with high CP content. It is recommended to follow the third proposed intercropping pattern (IP3) and to include a nitrogen starter dose (NS1) in the fertilization scheme to ensure highest productivity from the intercropped maize and forage cowpea.

Strategy to Improve Corn Production and Export in Lampung Province

<p>The population of Lampung continues to increase and the rapid development of the industry causes the need for maize in this area to continue to increase as well. This paper provides alternative steps to increase the production and export of maize in Lampung Province. Maize production can be increased by increasing the harvest area by expanding the planted area to suboptimal untapped land, such as in Mesuji, Pesisir Barat, and West Lampung districts. Another effort that can be made to increase maize production is to apply an intercropping pattern on the same land. Another strategy is to increase productivity by using hybrid maize such as varieties NK-22, P-21, and Bisi-2, providing manure, balanced fertilizers, integrated pest and disease management (IPM), and application of post-harvest technology. Efforts to increase harvested area and productivity need to be continued to increase corn production sustainably. The strategy to increase exports is to increase production and reduce the need for corn for feed and other uses (other than foodstuffs). In this case, the corn that will be used for feed and other uses can be replaced by sorghum.</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Corn, production, export, strategy</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p>STRATEGI PENINGKATAN PRODUKSI DAN EKSPOR JAGUNG DI PROVINSI LAMPUNG</p><p>Jumlah penduduk Lampung yang terus meningkat dan perkembangan industri yang pesat menyebabkan kebutuhan jagung di daerah ini terus pula meningkat. Tulisan ini memberikan alternatif langkah-langkah peningkatan produksi dan ekspor jagung di Provinsi Lampung. Produksi jagung dapat ditingkatkan melalui penambahan luas panen dengan memperluas areal tanam ke lahan suboptimal yang belum dimanfaatkan, seperti di Kabupaten Mesuji, Pesisir Barat, dan Lampung Barat. Upaya lain yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan produksi jagung adalah menerapkan pola tumpangsari pada lahan yang sama. Strategi lainnya yaitu meningkatkan produktivitas dengan penggunaan jagung hibrida seperti varietas NK-22, P-21, dan Bisi-2, pemberian pupuk kandang, pupuk berimbang, pengelolaan hama dan penyakit secara terpadu (PHT), dan penerapan teknologi pascapanen. Upaya peningkatan luas panen dan produktivitas perlu diteruskan agar produksi jagung meningkat secara berkelanjutan. Strategi peningkatan ekspor yaitu dengan meningkatkan produksi dan mengurangi kebutuhan jagung untuk pakan dan penggunaan lain (selain bahan makanan). Dalam hal ini, jagung yang akan digunakan untuk pakan dan penggunaan lain dapat digantikan oleh sorgum.</p><p><strong>Kata kunci:</strong> Jagung, produksi, ekspor, strategi</p>

Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Performance in a Legume Intercropping System under Weed Interference

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is highly susceptible to weed competition during the early growth stages; hence, intercropping is considered to overcome the weed competition challenge. This study was conducted to determine the performance of sweet sorghum in legume intercropping systems under different weed management pressures. Three cropping systems (sole crop, inter-row, and intra-row intercropping) and three weed management levels (no weeding after crop emergency, ceasing weeding 50 days after crop emergency, and weeding throughout) were tested. Intercropping pattern had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on the plant and the number of leaves per plant, while other treatments remained insignificant during the 2017/18 growing season. During the 2018/19 growing season, the intercropping pattern had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on dry and fresh biomass and plant height at 60 days after emergence. An increase in weeding frequencies reduced Brix (◦Bx). Uncontrolled weed plots had the lowest sweet sorghum dry biomass accumulation, whereas the biomass increased as weeding frequencies increased but remained insignificant as weeding frequencies further increased from 50% to 100% in both seasons. Consequently, SS/DB intra-row intercropping and intermediate weeding are sufficient for optimum SS biomass production and sugar levels.

ENHANCEMENT OF GROWTH, YIELD AND ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN ROSELLE AND CLUSTER BEAN BY INTERCROPPING PATTERN AND LITHOVIT

This study aimed to determinate the optimal condition for growth, yield components and some chemical constituents of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba plants in intercropping patterns (sole crop of each component as control, 1:2, 1:3 and 2:3 roselle: cluster bean row ratios) under different rates of nano-material compound (Lithovit at 0, 2, 4 and 6 g/l). This study was conducted in Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt during the two summer consecutive seasons of 2018 and 2019. Plots consisted in the intercropping patterns and the subplots were constituted by the lithovit rates. Intercropping patterns and lithovit rates affected the plant height, number of leaves per plant and total dry weight per plant of roselle and cluster bean and sepals yield per plant, total chlorophyll, and anthocyanin content of roselle plant as well as seed yield per plant, total chlorophyll, and galactomannan percentage of cluster bean. Sole crop of roselle and cluster bean recorded the highest values compared to intercropping patterns. The best intercropping pattern in this regard was the treatment of 1 row of roselle: 3 rows of cluster bean. In addition, the highest values of abovementioned parameters were achieved by 4 g/l of lithovit compared to the other rates under study. The interaction of intercropping pattern and lithovit-affected growth, yield components and chemical constituents of roselle and cluster bean and the best treatment in this regard was 1:3 pattern and 4 g/l of lithovit.

Fenotipik varietas kedelai pada jarak tanam berbeda yang ditumpangsarikan dengan tanaman jagung

The dual system planting aims to utilize existing resources so that they can be more efficient. The research design used separate plots repeated three times. The main plot consisted of soybean spacing of 40 cm x 10 cm (1 plant per hole) (JT-1), 40 cm x 15 cm (2 plants per hole) (JT-2) and 40 cm x 20 cm (2 plants per hole). Lubang) (JT-3), a subplot consisting of 11 varieties of soybeans. Soybeans were planted in 3 rows along 5 m which were intercropped with maize varieties Lamuru (120-50 cm) x 20 cm, (1 plant/hole) at IP2TP Muneng, Probolinggo Regency, East Java in MK II 2018. The results showed that the varieties "Dena 1" and "Deja 1" matched the intercropping pattern with maize, which were able to achieve seed productivity of 2.17 t/ha and 2.13 t/ha, respectively. Argomulyo and Anjasmoro varieties in JT-1, Deja 1 on JT-2, and Deja 2 on JT-3 were able to achieve seed productivity of up to 2.0 t / ha. The phenotypic weight of seeds per plant and the number of filled pods were two components that contributed greatly to the increase in seed productivity. Dena 1 varieties correspond to JT1 and JT-2 treatments, while Deja 1 varieties correspond to JT-3 treatments. The phenotypic weight of 100 seeds, plant height, and the number of branches contributed little to the increase in seed productivity.

Application of Rice-Corn Intercropping as an Optimization of the Land Use Utilization and Increasing of Farmer Income in Playen, Gunungkidul

Intercropping is an attempt to plant several types of crops on the land at the same time, arranged in such a way in a row of plants. Planting in this way can be done on two types of plants that are relatively different old. The application of Rice-Corn intercropping was carried out in Playen District of Gunungkidul. Rice seed was used Sidenuk and Inpari 42 varieties then planted at distance of 40 cm x 20 x 12.5 cm (Tajarwo 2:1). The corn seed used Pioneer 35 and they are planted at 60 cm x 25 cm. The purpose of this research is to examine the application of intercropping rice-corn compared to monoculture cultivation on the aspects of soil nutrients status, affects intercropping on both crops yield and feassibility analisys of the intercropping farming on the two different agricultural system. The results of study show that on intercropping pattern rice yield can reach 5.19 to 5.85 ton ha-1 and dry corn shells from 5.43 to 6.28 tons ha-1 and quite profitable with a B/C ratio of 2.68 and R/C ratio of 3.12 compared to rice or corn monoculture planting patterns alone with B/C ratios of 1.24 and 1.88, respectively

Kajian Berbagai Pola Tanam terhadap Peningkatan Produktivitas Jagung dan Kedelai dengan Berbagai Varietas Jagung

The reduction in agricultural land due to land conversion has encouraged several technological innovations in cultivation systems, including intercropping planting patterns. The study aimed to study various intercropping patterns with several varieties of maize which can increase production. The research was conducted at the Sawah Baru Experimental Station of the IPB University, Darmaga, Bogor, from November 2018 to February 2019 using a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot was the cropping systems, consisting of monoculture, single-row intercropping, double-rows intercropping, and triple-rows intercropping. The subplot was the maize varieties, consisting of Sukmaraga, Bima 19, and BISI 2. Regression and correlation analyses were carried out to determine the relationship between microclimate and productivity. The results showed that the productivity of maize and soybean was affected by the interaction between cropping patterns and varieties. The highest productivity of maize was obtained from the intercropping pattern of double rows of BISI 2 maize (7.33 ton ha-1), while the lowest maize productivity was in the intercropping pattern of a single row of Bima 19 maize (2.93 ton ha-1). The highest productivity of soybean was obtained from the intercropping cropping pattern of a single row of BISI 2 maize. The effect of microclimate on various cropping patterns with productivity in this study was a little. Land equivalent ratios (LER) in all treatments were greater than 1 except for intercropping 1 row of Bima 19 maize, indicating that intercropping can increase land productivity. Keywords: cropping pattern, intercropping, land equivalent ratio (LER), maize varieties

Produksi Kedelai pada Tumpang Sari dengan Tithonia diversifolia

<p>Considering that soybeans are a food ingredient, it is necessary to control insect pests that are appropriate and environmentally friendly to increase soybean production, for example, through an intercropping pattern using flowering plants that can attract beneficial insects. This study aimed to increase soybean production by increasing the number of natural enemies planted through an intercropping soybean pattern with Titonia (<em>Tithonia diversifolia)</em>. This research was conducted from April - August 2020 at Aras Kabu Village Deli Serdang District; the method used was direct observation to the experimental field of soybean – Titonia intercropping made with 5 Mapping spacing treatments. Harvesting insects using sweep net and for production is counted from soybean pods. The results showed that the soybean-Titonia intercropping had an effect on soybean production, the highest number of seeds was in the treatment of 50 cm spacing between plants (T4) of 57.33, and the highest weight of 100 seeds was in the treatment of 50 cm spacing between plants (T4) treatment of 15.22. The insect orders found in the area of Titonia-soybean intercropping plantations are Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, where many predatory insects, parasitoids, and pollinators are found. Judging from the content of secondary metabolites of Titonia, namely alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, the results of Titonia plants, including flower, stems, and leaves, can be used to extract pesticides in controlling insect pests.</p>

The Effect of Plant Density at the Maize-Soybean Intercropping Pattern Inoculated With Mycorrhizae and Organic Fertilizer to the Growth and Yield in Dry Land North Lombok, Indonesia

To avoid the risk of crop failure in a dry land, which is poor in organic matter and at the same time can increase the yield of maize and soybeans, intercropping cultivation techniques and the provision of organic materials are needed. This research aimed to determine the effect of plant density on the intercropping pattern of maize soybean inoculated with mycorrhizae and the addition of organic fertilizers to the growth and yield of maize soybean in dryland North Lombok. This research was conducted at Akar-Akar village in Bayan district of North Lombok. The experimental design with Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three blocks and five treatments intercropping patterns, i.e., P1 = 2 rows of corn: 2 rows of soybeans, P2 = 3 rows of corn: 2 rows of soybeans, P3 = 3 rows of corn: 3 rows of soybeans, P4 = 4 rows of corn: 2 rows of soybeans, P5 = 4 rows of corn: 3 rows of soybeans. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) means-tested at a 5% level of significance. The results showed that the intercropping density of 3 maize rows: 3 rows of soybean show the best growth and yield. Growth and yields on intercropping plant density treatment of 3 rows of maize : 3 rows of soybeans gave the highest yields on the wet and dry weight of maize cobs and soybean pods per plant, as well as the wet and dry weight of biomass, maize cobs and soybean pods per plot with the best results if compared to the density of other intercropping plants. The intercropping density of 3 maize rows: 3 rows of soybeans can also increase the number of spores and the percentage of mycorrhizae infections compared to other intercropping treatments.